Bakka, Chahrazad; Akşit, Huseyin; Zahnit, Wafa; Şahin, Bihter; Aydin, Ali; Tokul-Olmez, Ozge; Ozturk, Mehmet; Smara, Ouanissa; Dendougui, Hocine; Hadjadj, Mohamed

Context: The Atlas Pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) possesses numerous applications for therapeutic purposes. Objective: We set out to test various extracts from Pistacia atlantica Desf. fruits and leaves for their anticancer and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. In addition to discovering the phytochemical profile of P. atlantica extracts responsible for the pharmacological effects that were researched. Materials and methods: The anti-acetylcholinesterase activity was performed against the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. Anticancer assays were investigated by evaluating the antiproliferative and cytotoxicity potentials against five cancerous cell lines using the [3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MMT:Medical training therapy) assay. The phenolic profile was established against phenolic standards using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Results: In anticholinesterase activity, the extracts of P. atlantica inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent manner. The stronger AChE inhibition activity was obtained for the n-BuOH extract of the fruits (IC50 47.80 ± 1.03 µg/mL) and compared to the leaf extracts. The results, compared with galantamine, showed a close inhibition activity. P. atlantica extracts also showed the most optimal antiproliferative and cytotoxic effect against cancer cell lines compared to positive control 5FU (Fluorouracil); the best antiproliferative activity was obtained for the fruit extracts compared to the leaf extracts. The spotted biological activities can be attributed to flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the extracts. The HPLC-DAD analysis identified the presence of 18 phytochemicals. The main compounds detected were luteolin, gallic acid, epicatechin, and protocatechuic acid. Discussion and conclusion: This study demonstrated moderate anticholinesterase and suitable antiproliferative activities of P. atlantica Desf. extracts, which opens up new possibilities for the pharmaceutical and food industries. This study suggests that the concentrations of phenolic compounds, along with the results of anticholinesterase and antiproliferative activities found in the fruit and leaf extracts of P. atlantica Desf, indicate this plant holds promise for pharmaceutical and food application industries.

Karakaya, Songül; Gözcü, Sefa; Güvenalp, Zühal; Özbek, Hilal; Yuca, Hafize; Dursunoğlu, Benan; Kazaz, Cavit; Kılıç, Ceyda Sibel

Context: Ferulago (Apiaceae) species have been used since ancient times for the treatment of intestinal worms, hemorrhoids, and as a tonic, digestive, aphrodisiac, or sedative, as well as in salads or as a spice due to their special odors. Objectives: This study reports the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of dichloromethane extract and bioactive compounds isolated from Ferulago bracteata Boiss. & Hausskn. roots. Materials and methods: The isolated compounds obtained from dichloromethane extract of Ferulago bracteata roots through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation process were evaluated for their in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities at 5000-400 µg/mL concentrations. Compound structures were elucidated by detailed analyses (NMR and MS). Results: A new coumarin, peucedanol-2′-benzoate (1), along with nine known ones, osthole (2), imperatorin (3), bergapten (4), prantschimgin (5), grandivitinol (6), suberosin (7), xanthotoxin (8), felamidin (9), umbelliferone (10), and a sterol mixture consisted of stigmasterol (11), β-sitosterol (12) was isolated from the roots of F. bracteata. Felamidin and suberosin showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 0.42 and 0.89 mg/mL, respectively) when compared to the reference standard acarbose (IC50 4.95 mg/mL). However, none of the tested extracts were found to be active on α-amylase inhibition. Discussion and conclusions: The present study demonstrated that among the compounds isolated from CH2Cl2 fraction of F. bracteata roots, coumarins were determined as the main chemical constituents of this fraction. This is the first report on isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds from root extracts of F. bracteata and on their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

Altun, Deniz; Ayar, Arif; Uysal, Handan; Kara, Aye Aydan; Nal, Elif Leman

Context:Stachyss species have been used as a medicine for centuries throughout the world. Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. var. lavandulifolia (Lamiaceae) is of interest to researchers because the constituents such as betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid are similar to other Stachys species commonly used as an alterative in medicinal preparations. Objective:The present study investigated the effects of water extract (SLE w) and ethanol extract (SLEe) obtained from S. lavandulifolia (SLE) on the longevity of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. Materials and methods:The effects of different concentrations of SLE (ControlDMSO; 4.0; 12.0 and 20.0 μL/100mL medium) were administered separately to female and male populations of D. melanogaster for control and SLE groups. Results:In all application groups, each population's longevity increased, depending on the concentration of SLE. The mean life-span of the extract groups which are applied with SLE(w) was determined to be shorter than the extract groups which are applied with SLE(e). For example, the maximum mean life-span applied with SLE(w) increased from 31.86±0.92 days to 43.21±1.33 days and the maximum mean life-span applied with SLE(e) increased from 31.86±0.92 days to 49.62±1.62 days in females. Conclusion:These findings demonstrate that the constituents of S. lavandulifolia have great potential as a source for natural health products for D. melanogaster management.